Walking with Rennyo: Introduction

It cannot be doubted that Rennyo Shonin (1415–1499), the eighth head priest (monshu) of the Hongwanji, is the most outstanding figure in the history of Jodo Shinshu, second only to its Founder. We often refer to him as “Rennyo the Restorer,” because he revived the dying head temple and united its scattered followers, establishing the Hongwanji as the largest Buddhist sect in Japan. More importantly, Rennyo looked to Shinran Shonin in order to weed out divergent and heretical views among Shinshu priests, reinstating the Founder’s writings as the doctrinal standard of Jodo Shinshu. It is no exaggeration to say that, without Rennyo, the flame of true nembutsu would have been snuffed out in the turmoil of feudal Japan.

Like the Founder, Rennyo Shonin dedicated his entire life to the spread of the Other-Power teaching. An extraordinary scholar, he translated numerous scriptures into kana so that the common people could read them, built temples, and encouraged followers in hundreds of letters. Through his guidance, many people found release from the bondage of birth-and-death through trust in Amida Buddha. His own heartfelt gratitude for Amida’s salvation was evident in his personal life, and yet he never boasted of his accomplishments. No wonder the common people revered Rennyo Shonin, and looked up to him as the manifestation of Kannon Bosatsu, the bodhisattva of compassion.

It is unfortunate that some scholars today who lack shinjin have criticized Rennyo Shonin. In attempting to prove that he corrupted Jodo Shinshu doctrine, and was at variance with the Founder’s teaching, they fall into serious historical and doctrinal error. For an excellent and accessible refutation of these groundless claims, including an account of the Shonin’s life, see Misunderstandings of Master Rennyo, by Soai University professor emeritus Dr. Eiken Kobai. Without understanding the spiritual conviction that motivated Rennyo, we cannot hope to make sense of his place in Shinshu history.

Rennyo Shonin was born in the Pure Land many centuries ago, but his light lives on in the letters, sayings, and poems he left behind. In the upcoming posts, I will be making a journey through Goichidaiki Kikigaki, the formal compilation of Rennyo’s recorded words. This will be a personal work, with each post presenting a saying followed by my reflection on its meaning, drawing on the words of Master Shinran and the seven patriarchs of the Pure Land when appropriate. I will be quoting the translation by Elson Snow, first published in Pacific World (New Series, No. 10, 1994). My intention is to show how faithfully Rennyo transmitted the teaching he received from Shinran, so that we of this Last Dharma Age could benefit from it. I hope that my thoughts will not detract from the true wisdom contained in each and every one of these wonderful aphorisms. Be very sure that any useless words are solely my own, and should not be confused with those of the Shonin.

We are fortunate indeed to walk the path to the Pure Land in the footsteps of Rennyo Shonin. I hope that those who follow my posts will take his most profound wish to heart:

When someone in the future

Remembers me,

Let him deeply trust

In Amida’s Vows.

The Light Breaks Through

My choice for the background image of this blog was inspired by the following passage from the “Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu” (Shoshinge) composed by Master Shinran:

The light of compassion that grasps us illumines and protects us always;
The darkness of our ignorance is already broken through;
Still the clouds and mists of greed and desire, anger and hatred,
Cover as always the sky of true and real shinjin.

But though light of the sun is veiled by clouds and mists,
Beneath the clouds and mists there is brightness, not dark.
When one realizes shinjin, seeing and revering and attaining great joy,
One immediately leaps crosswise, closing off the five evil courses.

Kyogyoshinsho II:102

For the person who has once realized diamondlike shinjin, the “long night of ignorance” is over. Though blind passions and outflows of past karma persist to trouble his peace of mind, they cannot extinguish the flame of pure faith that burns in his heart, any more than clouds can put out the sun. And while in this transient world the sun will one day expire, in the Pure Land Amida’s body of glory shines everlastingly, illuminating even the darkest regions of the universe.

The sun shines by day, the moon shines by night. The warrior shines in armor, the holy man shines in meditation. But the Buddha shines resplendent all day and all night.

Dhammapada, Verse 387

Welcome to the Bombu's Digest

The Name of Amitabha Buddha in Sanskrit

Hello, and welcome to my blog! In the posts to come, I will be sharing some thoughts, verses, and scriptures of Jodo Shinshu, the True Pure Land School founded by Shinran Shonin (1173-1263), in an attempt to convey the joy and truth of the teaching of shinjin (faithful mind) and the Nembutsu (reciting Buddha's Name).

The title of my blog comes from the Japanese word bombu, which means a foolish, ignorant person. In Jodo Shinshu, we come to see ourselves as bombu when we encounter the unlimited wisdom and compassion of the Buddha Amitabha (Amida) for the first time. Although the term bombu often carries a light, almost humorous meaning, in reality there is nothing funny or fun about being such a person burdened with evil karma. However, solely through the power of the Name fulfilled in the Primal Vow, the most depraved and miserable of bombu can enter the world of salvation.

Since I follow historic, orthodox Shinshu as delineated by Shinran Shonin and Rennyo Shonin and preserved by the Hongwanji-ha, this blog will not reflect the modernistic religious influence usually present in western Buddhism. Rather, I will celebrate the authentic teachings preserved in the sacred texts of our tradition, remembering the blessed words of Shakyamuni Buddha in the Larger Sutra:

The wisdom disclosed in the scriptures provides for all ways of life. It keeps essential principles together and clearly reveals the truth.

Being a busy bombu, my posts will necessarily be sporadic. However, firmly believing that a task should not be undertaken unless one plans to see it through, I fully intend to update this blog at least once a week. I encourage everyone who visits to listen deeply to the true dharma of the Pure Land Way, setting aside personal opinions and views, and letting their minds and hearts drift into the great ocean of universal compassion. If what I write here causes others to come to savor the true taste of the Nembutsu, then this blog will not be in vain.

May the unhindered light illumine you, wherever you are.

Namu Amida Butsu!